Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has admitted that the lack of a winter break has been hard to get used to.

Mertesacker, who joined the Gunners from German club Werder Bremen in the summer, usually enjoys a break in the Bundesliga.

"It was my choice to go to the English league and have no winter break, no breather at the end of the year," the 27-year-old said.

"Normally in Germany you have a chance to calm down at the end of the year, maybe go on holiday. [Having no winter break] was very hard. We had a great time with the family here in London, but you have to deal with the situation."

Arsenal are currently sixth in the Premier League.